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Insomniatic

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Insomniatic
Insomniatic cover
Studio album by Aly & AJ
Released July 10, 2007 (2007-07-10)
(see release history)
Recorded 2007
Genre Teen pop, electropop, dance-pop, electronic rock, pop-rock[1]
Length 42:55
Record label Hollywood
Producer Antonina Armato, Gerry Cagle (exec.), Tim James, Carrie Michalka (exec.)
Professional reviews
  • Allmusic 2.5/5 stars
link
  • Billboard (positive) link
  • TheCelebrityCafe.com (positive) link
  • Famoso Magazine 3/5 stars
link
  • The Guardian 4/5 stars
link
  • Jesus Freak Hideout 3.5/5 stars
link
  • Template:Review-Christgau
  • stv.tv 4/5 stars
link
  • Tommy2.net 3/4 stars
link
Aly & AJ chronology
Acoustic Hearts of Winter
(2006)		 Insomniatic
(2007)		 78violet
(2010)
Singles from Insomniatic
  1. "Potential Breakup Song"
    Released: June 26, 2007
  2. "Like Whoa"
    Released: January 21, 2008

Insomniatic is the second studio album from the teen pop duo Aly & AJ. The album was released on July 10, 2007 in the United States, and was later released in the [UK and Italy on October 22, 2007 with new cover art. The album features a more electropop, electronic rock and Dance-pop influenced sound different from their debut with the use of synthesizers, synth-rock guitars, vocoder, and electronic instruments.

Album information[]

MTV.com's The Leak section posted all 12 songs on the standard edition of the album in their entirety, on July 3, 2007. The song "Blush" was excluded in the MTV.com full album stream for unknown reasons.

The song "Like Whoa" was featured in an episode of MTV's The Hills and the girls' made-for-TV (MTV) movie Super Sweet 16: The Movie, which premiered on July 8, 2007 and in High School Musical 3: Senior Year on October 24, 2008. The song eventually became the album's second single.

Instrumental versions of all 12 songs are available commercially on the iTunes Store, alongside the standard 12-track album with vocals.

The album's title is not actually a word ("insomniac" serves as both a noun and an adjective);[2] the definition of Insomniatic as stated by them is: A state of mind where one becomes addicted to the deprivation of sleep caused by an epic revelation of joy.

The Australian release of the album features the cover art same as the deluxe edition, aside from the "Deluxe Edition" tag. It also features with the original "Chemicals React" track as the first track, following the rest of the standard album.[3]

Critical reception[]

Fraser McAlpine of BBC Radio had this to say about the album:

Aly and AJ's previous album was rock-pop, some of it light and bubbly, some of it bordering on heaviness. Staccato, often angry pop but still definitely pop. Their second offering, 'Insomniatic,' with this as the lead single seems to have kept the staccato and the venom but added more layers of pop, to create something that sounds like My Chemical Romance going through a blender with some soft-hearted Angry Girl Music. Don't let the tango at the start fool you, even as the synths and the vocoder cut in, this is a rock song playing with electronics. Chirpy keyboards flag up the growl of their voices as they deliver self-conscious lines like 'it took too long, it took too long, it took too long for you to call back and normally I would just forget that, except for the fact it was my brithday, my stupid birthday', kicking a guy to the curb for being a forgetful loser amid a glorious barrage of seething rhythms, clicky noises and general madness, as the Michalka sisters swing between honeyed murmurs and psychosis, making for the most danceable mental breakdown I've heard in quite some time.

[4]

Tommy2.Net says

Several tracks point toward synth rock by the use of samples, loops and vocal processing including the lead single, Potential BreakUp Song which proves to be a good barometer for the direction they're heading. Along with the electronic beats, this album features a blend of 70's and 80's guitar tones that infuse Bullseye, Like It Or Leave It, and If I Could Have You Back with a sufficient amount of energy

[5]

Promotion[]

United States[]

  • The sisters sang an edit of the lead single from Insomniatic, "Potential Breakup Song", on Live with Regis & Kelly on July 4, 2007 and again on The View on September 3, 2007
  • On July 9, 2007 both sisters were on The Early Show where they did a short interview.
  • On August 1, 2007 both sisters were on MTV's Total Request Live to take viewers backstage at one of their concert stops. In the week of August 26, the girls hosted and co-hosted the show again.
  • The video for "Potential Breakup Song" premiered on Disney Channel in August 2007.
  • They performed songs from Insomniatic with Miley Cyrus as the supporting act replacing the Jonas Brothers. Soon after they were replaced by Everlife because of AJ's busy schedule, filming her first solo role in The Lovely Bones.

United Kingdom[]

  • The girls performed "Potential Breakup Song" near the London Eye to promote the UK release in October.
  • On October 3, 2007, Aly & AJ performed "Potential Breakup Song" on This Morning, a British morning show.
  • On October 10, 2007, the sisters performed "Potential Breakup Song" and a version of "Like Whoa" with an extended "Relax" dance break at G-A-Y, a London-based nightclub.
  • They performed with UK band McFly in London as a supporting act on the tour.
  • They were also featured on a Saturday morning television show called TMi on BBC Television

Track listing[]

# TitleWriter(s) Length
1. "Potential Breakup Song"  Aly Michalka, AJ Michalka,
Antonina Armato, Tim James		 3:39
2. "Bullseye"  Aly Michalka, AJ Michalka,
Antonina Armato, Tim James		 3:02
3. "Closure"  Aly Michalka, AJ Michalka,
Antonina Armato, Tim James		 2:50
4. "÷"  Aly Michalka, AJ Michalka,
Antonina Armato, Tim James		 3:44
5. "Like It or Leave It"  Aly Michalka, AJ Michalka,
Antonina Armato, Tim James		 3:17
6. "Like Whoa"  Aly Michalka, AJ Michalka,
Antonina Armato, Tim James		 2:31
7. "Insomniatic"  Aly Michalka, AJ Michalka 2:47
8. "Silence"  Aly Michalka, AJ Michalka,
Carrie Michalka		 3:33
9. "If I Could Have You Back"  Aly Michalka, AJ Michalka,
Dan Wilson		 2:53
10. "Blush" (Bonus track for first pressings)Aly Michalka, AJ Michalka 3:33
11. "Flattery"  Aly Michalka, AJ Michalka,
Antonina Armato, Tim James		 4:08
12. "I'm Here"  Aly Michalka, AJ Michalka 4:06
13. "Chemicals React" (Remix)Aly Michalka, AJ Michalka,
Antonina Armato, Tim James		 2:55
14. "Careful With Words" (Wal-Mart/Japan bonus track / UK "Potential Breakup Song" B-Side)Aly Michalka, AJ Michalka 2:20
15. "Tears" (Target bonus track, alongside two ringtones / Japan bonus track)Aly Michalka, AJ Michalka,
Carrie Michalka		 2:05

The iTunes pre-order edition had all of the regular tracks excluding "Blush", and had instrumental versions of "Potential Breakup Song" and "Chemicals React" (Remix). A video for "Potential Breakup Song" was also included along with a digital booklet.

Deluxe Edition[]

Alyaj insomniatic dx

Insomniatic Deluxe cover

A deluxe edition of the album was originally scheduled to be released on November 6, 2007, then on March 4, 2008, later on March 18 to be cancelled in North America afterwards.

The 6-song extended CD includes acoustic performances at the Abbey Road Sessions in the UK, and a remix, along with a bonus DVD that contains music videos to Aly & AJ's main singles.

Though early reports were notifying the DVD would include Aly & AJ's My Super Sweet 16/18 Birthday Party Review, My Super Sweet 16/18 Birthday Party, The Aly & AJ Sister Act MTV special, and an Aly & AJ featured MTV Cribs clip.[6]

The deluxe edition only had a Japanese release, on March 5, 2008.[7] The first disc featured songs from Insomniatic as well as several songs from the dou's recordings at Abbey Road Studios.

The second disc included music videos including Rush, No One, Chemicals React, Potential Breakup Song and Like Whoa.

A booklet with lyrics was also included.

Disc 1 (Album)
# TitleWriter(s) Length
1. "Potential Breakup Song"  Aly Michalka, AJ Michalka, Antonina Armato,
Tim James		 3:39
2. "Bullseye"  Aly Michalka, AJ Michalka,
Antonina Armato, Tim James		 3:02
3. "Closure"  Aly Michalka, AJ Michalka,
Antonina Armato, Tim James		 2:50
4. "÷"  Aly Michalka, AJ Michalka,
Antonina Armato, Tim James		 3:44
5. "Like It or Leave It"  Aly Michalka, AJ Michalka,
Antonina Armato, Tim James		 3:17
6. "Like Whoa"  Aly Michalka, AJ Michalka,
Antonina Armato, Tim James		 2:31
7. "Insomniatic"  Aly Michalka, AJ Michalka 2:47
8. "Silence"  Aly Michalka, AJ Michalka,
Carrie Michalka		 3:33
9. "If I Could Have You Back"  Aly Michalka, AJ Michalka,
Dan Wilson		 2:53
10. "Flattery"  Aly Michalka, AJ Michalka,
Antonina Armato, Tim James		 4:08
11. "I'm Here"  Aly Michalka, AJ Michalka 4:06
12. "Chemicals React" (Remix)Aly Michalka, AJ Michalka,
Antonina Armato, Tim James		 2:55
13. "Careful With Words"  Aly Michalka, AJ Michalka 2:20
14. "Tears"  Aly Michalka, AJ Michalka 2:05
15. "Blush"  Aly Michalka, AJ Michalka 3:33
16. "Potential Breakup Song" (Hi-Grand Up Remix Radio Edit)  3:47
17. "Potential Breakup Song" (Abbey Road Sessions)  3:13
18. "Bullseye" (Abbey Road Sessions)  3:15
19. "Closure" (Abbey Road Sessions)  2:57
20. "÷" (Abbey Road Sessions)  3:50
21. "Black Horse and the Cherry Tree" (Abbey Road Sessions)KT Tunstall 2:51
Disc 2 (DVD)
# Title Length
1. "Rush" (music video)  
2. "No One" (music video)  
3. "Chemicals React" (music video)  
4. "Potential Breakup Song" (music video)  
5. "Like Whoa" (music video)  

Release history[]

The album was released on 10 July, 2007 in the United States, on 22 October, 2007 in the UK and Italy — with a new cover art — and ultimately in Singapore in April 2008. An enhanced Deluxe Edition was released in Japan on 5 March, 2008.

The cover of the Deluxe Edition (aside from the "deluxe edition" tag) was used for a Australian release on 15 March, 2008.[3]

Region Version Date
North America Basic album 10 July, 2007
North America (iTunes) Instrumental album
Selected parts of Europe Basic album 22 October, 2007
Japan Basic album[8] November 7, 2007
Deluxe Edition[9] 5 March, 2008
Australia Basic album* 15 March, 2008

* Features the original "Chemicals React" as first track, followed by the rest of the standard album.

Singles[]

"Potential Breakup Song"

  • Released: May 24, 2007 (Canada), June 26, 2007 (US), October 8, 2007 (UK)
  • Chart positions: #17 (US), #72 (Canada), #22 (UK)

"Like Whoa"

  • Released: January, 2008 (US)
  • Charts positions: #63 (US), #66 (Canada), #92 (AUS)

Chart performance[]

The album debuted at #15 in the official United States Billboard 200 albums chart, selling over 39,000 copies in its first week, becoming Aly & AJ's highest debut to date.[10] Insomniatic remained on the charts for 18 weeks in total, dropping out after the fourteenth week, to re-enter six weeks later.[11]

Chart (2007) Peak
position
Japan Oricon International Album Chart 90
UK Albums Chart 72
U.S. Billboard 200 15

References[]

  1. ↑ Adult Alternative Pop/Rock - Insomniatic Aly & AJ / CD / 2007
  2. ↑ [1]. Dictionary.com. Retrieved March 3, 2007.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 "ALY & AJ - INSOMNIATIC - CD". EMI. Retrieved on 2008-10-28.
  4. ↑ http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/chartblog/2007/10/aly_aj_potential_breakup_song_1.shtml
  5. ↑ http://www.tommy2.net/content/reviewalyandaj.php
  6. ↑ http://tommy2.net January, 2008
  7. ↑ Deluxe Edition info. Avex. Retrieved February 9, 2007.
  8. ↑ "Insomniatic - Limited CD". hmv. Retrieved on 2009-10-15.
  9. ↑ "Insomniatic - Deluxe Edition CD". hmv. Retrieved on 2009-10-15.
  10. ↑ Katie Hasty, "T.I. Holds Off Pumpkins, Interpol To Remain No. 1", Billboard.com, July 18, 2007.
  11. ↑ Insomniatic Chart Trajectory on Billboard 200, based on Billboard.com info, Aly & AJ Reaction.
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